The poll panel on Friday banned Shah, who has been accused of making hate speeches, from holding public meetings, processions or road shows in Uttar Pradesh and asked authorities to initiate criminal proceedings against him. The Election Commission had passed a similar order against Samajwadi Party leader and Uttar Pradesh Minister Azam Khan.

"BJP has been deeply saddened by the 11th April order of Election Commission related to Amit Shah though BJP has the highest regards for the majesty and authority of the Commission," BJP’s chief media coordinator Ravishankar Prasad said.

He said the BJP will explore all legal options on the issue.

The Election Commission had also directed the Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary to ensure no act of commission or omission is resorted to by Shah and Khan that can affect public tranquility and law and order.

The Election Commission was, in fact, angry over Khan's controversial speeches and Uttar Pradesh's Government's inability to take action against him but Shah is paying the price for the SP leader's deeds, Prasad said.

Defending Shah's controversial ‘revenge remarks’, Prasad said, "Amit Shah has not talked about violence tension. He just said if you are distressed, exploited and feeling disrespected by SP and Congress then vote against them."

Prasad said US President Barack Obama had made similar remarks in the past.

"In democracy, people can get rid of their pain by casting their vote. In a speech at Ohio, US President Obama had said take your revenge by voting,” Prasad said.

"The order of Election Commission does not say that Amit Shah has talked about violence. It says Azam Khan has been delivering provocative speeches due to UP Government's inaction," he added.

Uttar Pradesh Police on Saturday registered two cases against Shah in Muzaffarnagar for alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct following a direction of the Election Commission, which has also banned him from campaigning in the state.

While one case has been registered in Kakroli police station, another one has been registered in Newmandi police station against Amit Shah, Additional District Magistrate Indermani Tripathi said.

The BJP leader has been accused of making objectionable speeches in Badwar village in Muzaffarnagar on April 4, where he reportedly said, "If Modi wins, Mullah Mulayam's government will fall".

Shah has been booked under Section 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of IPC and 123(3) of Representation of the People Act (relating to appeal by a candidate to vote on the ground of his religion, race, caste, community or language), he said, adding after checking the videos, his speeches were found objectionable.

Tripathi said that the step has been taken on the direction of Election Commission, which had on Friday asked authorities to initiate criminal proceedings against the leader.